Results 29,101-29,120 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Telecommunications Services. (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 72 together. Since taking up office, I have met the chairman and chief executive of Eircom to discuss Eircom's plans for the future, including those for structural separation. Officials in my Department have also met representatives of Eircom to clarify some of the issues outlined in Eircom's discussion paper and I expect they will engage again with...

Telecommunications Services. (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I thank the Deputy for his comments. This is a complicated area given the market is rapidly changing, as are the technologies. The volume of data on the networks of the main operators in the State has increased by the order of 300% or 400% per annum. This is a rapidly changing area. Moving from voice to data services and arranging new data services will result in a very much changed...

Telecommunications Services. (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I do not believe I said "No" to anything. I am keeping all options open. I would not predetermine what the final structures or ownership structures might be for any company in the area. The one difference between this area and any other utility, be it water or electricity, is that there is a multitude of ways to deliver the service. Electricity will only ever be delivered down a wire and...

Telecommunications Services. (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: On behalf of the Government, I wish a happy Christmas to the Deputy, the Chairman and all the staff in the Oireachtas. It has been a long term and we all look forward to a break before returning in the new year.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: A Value for Money and Policy Review (VFMPR) of Phase I of the MANs Programme will be completed and published in January 2008. My Department is also preparing a draft policy paper on Next Generation Broadband Networks which will consider the optimum role for Government in facilitating the roll out of high speed broadband networks. I expect to publish the draft policy paper on Next Generation...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Regulation: Telecommunications Regulation (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I am interested in the protection of consumers and have recently expressed my concern about the level of consumer dissatisfaction and number of complaints from members of the public in relation to the operation of premium rate telecommunications services. In this context, I intend to examine how the regulation of premium rate telecoms services should be best addressed, and how the system...

Written Answers — Energy Efficiency Initiatives: Energy Efficiency Initiatives (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The vast majority of energy consumption occurs at my Department's largest accommodation sites: 29/31 Adelaide Road, Dublin 2, Leeson Lane, Dublin 2, Tom Johnson House, Beggars Bush, Haddington Road Elm House Cavan Electricity is supplied to each of the three Dublin premises by Energia and the heating is powered by natural gas supplied by Bord Gáis. There has been a cumulative reduction of...

Written Answers — Greener Homes Scheme: Greener Homes Scheme (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The aim of the Greener Homes Scheme is to stimulate consumer investment in renewable heating solutions and to develop the market for renewable technologies and fuels, thereby reducing CO2 emissions in the domestic sector. The scheme provides grants for householders for the installation of renewable heating technologies including wood biomass boilers and stoves, solar panels and heat pumps....

Written Answers — Efficiency Reviews: Efficiency Reviews (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I fully support the efficient and effective use of taxpayers money and the continuous achievement of value for money. My Department continuously seeks to deliver programme and administrative expenditure as approved each year by the Dáil in a value for money way whilst meeting the policy objectives underpinning this expenditure. My Department will reinforce its commitments to value for money...

Written Answers — Net-metering Facilities: Net-metering Facilities (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The introduction of net-metering facilities for micro-scale producers will be enabled by the introduction of smart metering technology. The Programme for Government and the Government's Energy Policy Framework commit to the introduction of smart meters to every home in the country over the next five years. The smart meter programme is a key component of the Government's Strategy to radically...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The provision of broadband services is, in the first instance, a matter for the private sector. Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). The widespread provision of broadband services continues to be a priority for the Government. There are still some parts of the country where the...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 107 together. In response to recent industry announcements, and developments internationally, my Department is preparing a draft policy paper that will review current communications infrastructure policy and analyse policy options in light of industry developments, in relation to the optimum role for the Government in the planning and rollout of next...

Written Answers — Electricity Generation: Electricity Generation (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: Management of industrial relations within ESB is, in the first instance, a matter for the Board and management of the company. I am aware of the recent ballot undertaken by a number of the unions within ESB and my Department is continuing to monitor the situation closely. The proposal to transfer the ownership of the transmission assets from ESB to EirGrid is a commitment in both the White...

Written Answers — Broadcasting Legislation: Broadcasting Legislation (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: The draft general scheme of the Broadcasting Bill was submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources in September 2006 for the purposes of public consultation under the eConsultation initiative. The approach adopted in the draft general scheme of the Broadcasting Bill was as follows: To establish a single content regulator for commercial, community...

Written Answers — Electricity Interconnector: Electricity Interconnector (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I am advised by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) that EirGrid is launching the competition for the design and construction of the interconnector in the coming days. I am further advised that the contract for design and construction will be completed by the end of quarter 3, 2008, when the successful bidder will be announced. As regards funding of the east-west interconnection...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: On top of the €50 million allocated in the pre-budget estimates for renewable energy and energy conservation measures, I secured an additional €13 million for this area in 2008 on Budget Day. I am allocating €5 million of this funding to the new Home Energy Saving Scheme. My Department is working closely with Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) to fully develop the details of the Pilot...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: In my reply of 27th November 2007, to a parliamentary question, I indicated that the percentage amount of electricity used in my Department's offices generated by renewables was 4.5%. In the light of subsequent information which my Department has received in the matter, I have asked my Department to clarify the position with the relevant energy suppliers, and I will revert to the Deputy in...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 79, 111 and 118 together. The provision of broadband services is, in the first instance, a matter for the private sector. Broadband service providers operate in a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). The widespread provision of broadband services continues to be a priority for the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 116 together. The Programme for Government reaffirms the commitment in the Energy Policy White Paper to the transfer of ownership of the electricity transmission network assets from ESB to EirGrid by end 2008. The mechanisms to implement the transfer to EirGrid of ownership of the assets comprise a range of legislative, commercial, legal and financial...

Written Answers — Inland Fisheries: Inland Fisheries (19 Dec 2007)

Eamon Ryan: In the 2008 budget, funding of €51.737m has been allocated to Inland Fisheries. A total of €16 million of this relates to the Salmon Hardship Fund and the associated Community Support Scheme. The balance of €35.737m is provided to the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards and the Loughs Agency to cover their operational expenditure as follows: Pay: €21.450 million Non-Pay: €10.987...